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Mike Wittenwyler, a lawyer who represents groups that sponsor issue ads, defended the ads as discussing public policy matters rather than candidates and said there's no need to change the current rules. But he said that if the board makes changes, they must comply with state and federal court rulings.

Wittenwyler also questioned whether the board even has the authority to regulate issue ads, saying that's the Legislature's job.

…. “These requirements are so burdensome and onerous that they in effect are a ban on speech,” [James] Bopp, [Jr., lead counsel] said.

“For too long, so-called campaign finance reform advocates have attempted to silence citizen groups. The net result, if they are successful, is that the only ones who will be allowed to speak and inform the public are candidates themselves and the media. This is unacceptable in a country built on a foundation of free speech,” Bopp said.

…. the suit also challenges requirements that political committees disclose particular contributions and spending within 24 hours, a burdensome oath political committees must take saying their independent expenditures are independent, political-committee reporting thresholds, the limits on contributions to committees doing only independent expenditures, and particular attribution and disclaimer requirements.

"The impact of this regulation is breathtakingly broad and bars every aspect of communication from a farmer who may paint a sign of protest on his barn to an organization publishing a comprehensive study on state finance," the filing says. "It will bar simple e-mail communication among individuals so long as they have paid more than $25 for their Internet connection, if that communication describes the public stand of a candidate, and it will prosecute groups meeting on a street corner if the cost of the soapbox exceeds $25."

As a citizen of Wisconsin, I am outraged by the Government Accountability Board's newly implemented rules that restrict the free speech of individuals and organizations during the most critical times of elections. I have a right as a citizen to speak out about candidates and issues to whomever I want without registering with the state. Further, the organizations I depend on for information on candidates and issues must not have their freedom of speech violated. This rule silences those groups and violates our constitutional right to free speech, as recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Citizens United decision earlier this year. I demand that the Government Accountability Board immediately revoke §1.28 and cease all attempts to implement and enforce the new rules.

I further call on the state legislature to take appropriate steps to ensure that the appointed Government Accountability Board no longer has the power to so grossly overstep its authority.

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